But Sims was undisciplined and at the end of 2008, Griffin told him bluntly to pull his head in if he wanted to be a Bronco.

He was also told he needed to bulk up to crack first grade and 20kg later he transformed from a lanky winger to a backrower.

While Sims’ National Rugby League debut eventually came in Cowboys colours, he admits leaving Griffin was a difficult choice.

“I would never say a bad word about the Brisbane Broncos,” Sims said.

“I have a lot of respect for Anthony Griffin; he helped shape me into the man I am today.

“I had come to Brisbane straight out of school. I was 17 and went from going to school five days a week to working a job six days a week and training.

“I wasn’t focused on football. I was in that muck-around mode.

“I wanted to see what else was out there apart from a little town called Gerringong.

“At the end of the ’08 season Hook gave me an ultimatum.

“I knuckled down in ’09 and ’10 so, yeah, he really helped shape me. He and Crolly (new Cowboys trainer Andrew Croll) were instrumental in building me as a young player.

“I hope Hook hangs in there. Hook has a lot to offer and if the boys buy into it they will be fine, until the Cowboys come to town.

“There is no better rivalry than Brisbane against the Cowboys.

“The extra motivation is there for me to get one over the old club.”

Sims said he left Brisbane to learn off the Cowboys’ senior players. Sims began his Cowboys career in 2011 after winning the National Youth Competition’s player of the season before he broke the same leg twice, ruining his 2012 season.

“The opportunity was too good to miss,” he said of his move north.

“It was a chance to learn and form good habits under the players that were up here and the coaching staff too.”

JOHNATHAN Thurston has provided the heart-starter the North Queensland needed, breathing life back into the Cowboys’ season with two late field goals to down the Melbourne Storm by one point in a thriller.

JOHNATHAN Thurston has provided the heart-starter the North Queensland needed, breathing life back into the Cowboys’ season with two late field goals to down the Melbourne Storm by one point in a thriller.

Leonie Norris isn’t quite sure how or why she stopped being active but after having four children, the 41-year-old mum realised she had let it all go. A desire to be able to run again has transformed her life.